How External Vulnerability Scanning Can Improve Network Security

Facing today's intricate cybersecurity landscape, organisations using external vulnerability scanning as one of the components of effective network protection strategies are the order of the day. The increased complexity of cyber threats requires organisations to put up adequate security measures to defend their digital assets. The article discusses how external vulnerability scanning can be an indispensable tool in managed security services that can greatly strengthen the security of the network.

Understanding External Vulnerability Scanning

What Is External Vulnerability Scanning?

When a person performs external vulnerability scanning, it means that they are checking the outer layers of the network from a position of being outside to find the weak points where it is easy to breach the security and cause damage. The main purpose of this security assessment method is proactive, and it copies the ways that criminals are hacking companies; the people organising the procedure are, in fact, the same people that break the law, realising it, so the obtained results disclose the problems or safety of the outer aspects of the hardware.

Different from internal scan operations, external vulnerability scanning deals with the assessment of assets that are exposed to internet risk: websites, email servers, clouds, and remote access points, for example. The listed components are the ones most exposed to the public network and are targeted in attacks frequently.

The Role of External Vulnerability Scanning in Cybersecurity

Undertaking regular vulnerability scans is a great thing, as it serves as a frontline protection for an organisation. They are good for identifying and fixing security issues sooner rather than later, which is rather important. By executing these surveys on a continuous basis, security teams are enabled to:

• Identify unknown or forgotten publicly accessible systems

• Discover misconfigurations in firewalls and border security devices.

• Detect outdated software with known vulnerabilities

• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing security controls.

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.

Benefits of Incorporating External Vulnerability Scanning

• Proactive Threat Prevention

External vulnerability scanning, as opposed to dealing with an incident after it has already happened, is about the ability of an organisation to be proactive. Regular scans help security teams in finding vulnerabilities that could be left unattended and only get recognised when they exploit them. Recent statistics demonstrate that the companies which perform regular external vulnerability scans can lower their successful breach risks up to 60%.

• Comprehensive Visibility

A lot of organisations experience difficulties with keeping their external assets inventory up-to-date. And as the digital infrastructure becomes even more complicated, this challenge only grows higher. The external vulnerability scanning is of the essence for full visibility of the internet-facing systems, even the ones potentially neglected and not under security control.

• Continuous Security Improvement

Network environments are always changing at the same time that new systems arise and the old ones are being changed. External vulnerability scanning, such as that which is provided through managed security services, is a good way to always maintain an update of the security situation that exists continuously as these changes occur. Thus, the ongoing assessment results in a continuous security improvement loop which is beneficial.

Implementing External Vulnerability Scanning Through Managed Security Services

The Advantage of Managed Security Services

Although entities have a choice to perform external vulnerability scanning on their own, the majority are preferring the services of managed security service providers for such an important security function. These experts have numerous benefits:

• Advanced scanning technologies that identify a wider range of vulnerabilities

• Expert analysts who can interpret scan results and prioritise remediation efforts

• Regular scan scheduling that ensures consistent security assessment

• Reduced false positives through validation and contextualisation

• Integration with broader security operations

Best Practices for External Vulnerability Scanning

When it comes to the implementation of external vulnerability scanning with managed security services, it would be beneficial to integrate the following excellent practices:

• The critical systems need to have an external vulnerability scan, at the very least monthly, and quarterly scans are good enough for less sensitive systems.

• It is important to have the public side facilities on the list of scanned layers, which is kind of inventory management. That is to say, an asset inventory should be kept updated at all times.

• There doesn't always exist a situation in which all vulnerabilities cause the same kind of trouble. Get rid of the high-risk problems by focusing on them.

• There are times when false alarms are given by an external vulnerability scan. By carrying out verification, you can also make sure that the resolution efforts are addressing real security risks.

• The backbone of the Vulnerability Management Program is an effective means to check the progress of the process of the issue. Complete system for the monitoring of the process acquired to this step? The solution then is to automate the addressing of the issues found in a prompt way.

Key Takeaway

In an increasingly hostile cyber environment, external vulnerability scanning has become an indispensable component of effective network security. Through regular, comprehensive assessments of your external attack surface, you can identify and address security weaknesses before they can be exploited.

For organisations lacking the internal resources or expertise to implement robust external vulnerability scanning, managed security services offer a compelling solution. Services like those provided by Sec Desk combine advanced scanning technologies with expert analysis to deliver actionable security insights that substantially improve your overall security posture.

By incorporating external vulnerability scanning into your security strategy, you take a significant step toward protecting your organisation from the ever-evolving threat landscape.